Patches not in right format

[howaboutthat]

Im trying to download the patch to play command and conquer 3 no dvd/fixed exe patch.
I download it ok.
I open up the .rar using winrar.
But all that is in there is a .dat file. No .exe file.

Since i need to use the CNC3GAME.EXE file to replace the old one, it wont work. (all the patches are like that, whereever i download from). I've tried just changing the format, but that gives an error message when i try and run it.

Is there something i need for my computer to be able to recognise that the file inside is a .dat file.

(when i open up the .dat file in notepad, it is just pages and pages of computer code) (i download from http://www.gamecopyworld.com/ and search for command and conquer 3)